Before The Past

Ch. 22

Barty Crouch Sr. found dead. 

Bartemius Crouch Senior was recently found dead in the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry after the Triwizard's second task.  While Hogwarts groundskeeper Hagrid was out for a late night stroll, he found Crouch Sr.'s body laying lifeless. He was killed by the killing curse, any further information has yet to be discovered. Does Hogwarts have another killer on the loose? 

A large image moved with flashing lights as Barty Crouch Sr. stood in his robes proudly. It took up almost have of the page, and his expression was far different than what Potter had expressed to me. 

News had gotten around the school first about what happened, and how Hagrid wasn't the only one there. Potter and his friends were also with him, and technically he had found the body. It was a huge surprise that it wasn't mentioned and that Hagrid took the fall. Everyone probably figured Potter had received enough fame on the front page and didn't need another reason for people to doubt him. 

When I asked him about it during potions, he explained exactly what had happened. He wasn't exactly with the group and he discovered a hat on the ground. As he stepped further, he looked around a tree to see the body on the ground. The rest was taken care of by Hagrid and the other three were sent back to the castle. He seemed almost unphased about what had happened and I wasn't sure if that was because he's been through so much or if he was trying to keep it together during class.  After that I decided not to mention it again. 

Once class was done, Potter and I walked together to dinner. Snape kept everyone in the class for an extra hour so he could finish his lecture. We only had time to put our books away and go straight to the great hall. 

"Aroura, why do you always sit alone?" Potter asked. 

"Well that's a rather rhetorical question. Being friends with you hasn't exactly made me gain any popularity." I shrugged. 

"Hang on, did you just say friends?" Potter said. 

"Yeah, I mean we've been talking for this long I figured that'd be acceptable, if not then-" 

"Oh no, umm actually I'm glad you said that, I've been wondering about that for a while. I'm just surprised to hear it from you." He interrupted. 

"Trust me I am too, although it's nice to at least have one person as a friend." I smiled. 

Potter smiled and his friends called him over. He walked over to the Gryffindor table and I went to the Slytherin table. I once again sat alone, watching everyone talk and enjoy themselves. Jealousy and envy filled my head once again, and I focused on taking bites of my food to push the thoughts away. 

Nobody has talked to me since the break, and I was starting to feel lonely. Not only was I lonely, but I was also frustrated too. Draco, Pansy, and Blaise always gave me disgusted looks and glares any time I looked in their direction or got close to them. I began to give up even trying to talk to them, and it seemed that they did the same. 

Draco didn't even bother to mention me talking to Potter, and Matteo hasn't once intercepted me talking to anyone outside of our house. As a matter of fact, I haven't seen Matteo since he last scared off the twins in the library. He suddenly disappeared and I haven't been able to find him. Not that I've been looking, but he wasn't even at meals. 

My train of thought was interrupted when I heard a loud cough in front of me. I looked up only to find Potter standing in front of me, once again. This time he seemed less nervous and more irritated. I took another bite, staring at him and waiting for him to say something. 

"Is it okay if I sit here?" He asked. 

I pursed my lips and gave him a questioning look. I then looked over at the Gryffindor table and saw Granger and Weasley's disgusted looks.